The Bobcat Nation

Former Bobcat basketball player Al Beye died in an auto accident Saturday

Al Beye, who became popular in Bozeman for his basketball skills and beloved for his personality, died in an auto accident in Dillon Saturday night.

Beye was visiting his brother, who lives in Dillon. He was a standout center for the Bobcats, finishing his career last spring as the school's single-season blocked shot record-holder. No details of the accident were immediately available.

This is absolutely terrible news. I am sitting here alone and I cannot feel any worse. This is a huge loss. Al was a wonderful person and I will always remember him for his smile anytime and anywhere. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

longhorn_22 wrote:

Former Bobcat basketball player Al Beye died in an auto accident Saturday

Al Beye, who became popular in Bozeman for his basketball skills and beloved for his personality, died in an auto accident in Dillon Saturday night.

Beye was visiting his brother, who lives in Dillon. He was a standout center for the Bobcats, finishing his career last spring as the school's single-season blocked shot record-holder. No details of the accident were immediately available.

This is absolutely terrible news. I am sitting here alone and I cannot feel any worse. This is a huge loss. Al was a wonderful person and I will always remember him for his smile anytime and anywhere. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Wow. RIP, Al.

This is so very hard to believe. We will miss his huge smile and how he just made everyone around him feel so appreciated. This is just hard to believe. May the Lord be with his family at this time of grief.

How is his brother? I am praying that he comes out of this accident Okay. This must be really hard for his family.

WOW!!! UNBELIEVABLE. R.I.P.

There are very few things that I get upset about, but when a close friend called me tonight and I heard the news, I won't lie, I went out and drank. Why a person of Al's character and general love for life has to die so young I will never understand. He literally brought a smile to everyone's face he was around.

I am stunned. I knew Al personally and he is one of the sweetest, kind, and charismatic people I know. Al, my friend, I just saw you yesterday with the biggest smile on your face. You will be missed! I can not imagine! RIP.

WOW.

That news hits HARD. I am absolutely speechless...

You were a stand-up guy Al - a great ambassador of MSU athletics, and beloved by all Cat BBall fans. Rest In Peace Al, Rest In Peace. Prayers go out to your family and friends - you will be missed.

What is it with the crazy/emotional news surrounding MSU Athletics recently? I think we have had more than our fair share for this week, let alone a couple seasons. PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!

This news is absolutely devastating. I did not know big Al personally, but from everything I have heard, he was truly the embodiment of what a student-athlete should be. He will be missed among the community and among Bobcat fans everywhere. God bless his family and God bless big Al. The real Big Guy just got himself a wonderful addition to the Pearly Gates.

I am lucky enough to have known Al very well. He was a constant joy to be around. People talk about smiles being contagious, but you really never saw a more contagious smile than the one he always wore on his face. Ever since he arrived in Bozeman he had been a man who I looked up to both figuratively and literally. There is no person who I can think of who will be more missed by a community than Al.

Here is to you big man: you left your mark on the world, Bozeman, your friends, your followers, and me. Never a kinder nor more caring man could anyone meet. Thank you for all you did for MSU, for Bozeman, and for me.

WOW...that's about all I can say!

My family has been deeply sadden by the passing of our "Big Al". He was a very important member of this family and will be deeply missed. He was a caring and wonderful individual.

His brother was with him during the accident as in a hospital with a broken leg.

1BadBobcat wrote:This news is absolutely devastating. I did not know big Al personally, but from everything I have heard, he was truly the embodiment of what a student-athlete should be. He will be missed among the community and among Bobcat fans everywhere. God bless his family and God bless big Al. The real Big Guy just got himself a wonderful addition to the Pearly Gates.

Honestly, I could not have said better or more tailored to my feelings on the matter. My relationship to Al was more enjoyment from afar as I never knew him personally. But, I constantly hear stories of him. The Chronicle article in the paper a while back seemed to say it very well also.

God bless you Al, enjoy the peace and wonderment of heaven big guy; you have earned eternal glory.

1BadBobcat wrote:This news is absolutely devastating. I did not know big Al personally, but from everything I have heard, he was truly the embodiment of what a student-athlete should be. He will be missed among the community and among Bobcat fans everywhere. God bless his family and God bless big Al. The real Big Guy just got himself a wonderful addition to the Pearly Gates.

I think you said it better than anyone could. I was fortunate enough to have a class with Al this semester and he was a wonderful and intelligent person. He did a lot of good things in this world and it was my pleasure getting to know him and talk with him. His presence on the basketball court in the two seasons here will be long overshadowed by the polite, soft-spoken, kind hearted person that he was and so many of us came to know. Al was one of the few positives on last year's basketball team and he was acutally fun to watch. He will be missed.

Man, I just saw Big Al Thursday night at Mixers. This is horrible news, there couldn't be a better representative of Montana State. My condolances to the whole Beye family, and wish his brother a speedy recover, both physically and emotionally.

My most heartfelt condolensces to Al's family and friends. I had the pleasure of meeting him last summer downtown, and he was as sincerely friendly towards me as if I had been a lifelong friend. He will be missed by more people than he could have imagined.

If anyone out there is on facebook, I've created a group to remember Al Beye. If you have facebook and you knew Al, please join.

http://montana.facebook.com/group.php?g ... 438&ref=mf

Also, I know there will be at least a moment of silence for him at tonight's game. I would like to see the team wear an "AL 55" patch or something to commemorate his memory.

Very sad. My condolences to his family and those close to him. I know he will be missed.

Wow, very sad. I know that all of Griz nation would like to express our sadness at your loss. Sounds like he was a great guy. RIP Al.

Truly sad news, such a great guy.

I think one of the moments that made me proudest of some MSU athletes was when I was riding the bus, and a bunch of special ed kids got on. The main topic of conversation between them on that bus ride was what a friendly, nice, amazing guy Al was. With everything else that is going on, this is a huge loss for athletics.

Terrible loss and condolences to his friends and family.